Slide 1: Title Slide
● The United Nations and Human Rights
● A Seminar Paper Presentation
● By: Kolawole Babatunde Oladapo
● Institution: University of Lagos, Faculty of Law
● Course: Human Rights 1 (JIL 811)
● Date: February 2025
Slide 2: Introduction
● Definition of Human Rights: Fundamental rights and freedoms inherent to all
individuals, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or status.
● Importance of the UN in Human Rights: The UN plays a central role in setting
international human rights standards, monitoring violations, and promoting global
compliance.
● Research Objectives:
○ Examine the historical evolution of UN human rights efforts.
○ Analyze the effectiveness of the UN in enforcing human rights.
○ Identify challenges and propose solutions.
Slide 3: The Genesis of UN Human Rights Efforts
● Impact of World War II: The Holocaust and widespread atrocities highlighted the need
for a global human rights framework.
● Creation of the UN (1945): Formed to maintain international peace and security, with
human rights as a core principle.
● Adoption of the UDHR (1948): The first global declaration outlining fundamental human
rights for all.
● Early Challenges: Political divisions (e.g., Cold War tensions) hindered immediate
implementation.
Slide 4: Core UN Human Rights Treaties
● Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Adopted in 1948, laying the
foundation for modern human rights law.
● International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Protects freedoms
such as speech, religion, and fair trials.
● International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): Covers
rights related to education, health, and labor.
● Other Major Treaties:
○ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW).
○ Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
○ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Slide 5: The Role of the UN Human Rights Council
● Establishment and Mandate: Formed in 2006 to replace the UN Commission on
Human Rights, ensuring accountability.
● Functions:
○ Reviewing human rights situations worldwide through the Universal Periodic
Review (UPR).
○ Appointing special rapporteurs to investigate violations.
○ Coordinating responses to human rights crises.
● Effectiveness and Challenges:
○ Some states ignore recommendations.
○ Politicization affects objectivity.
○ Limited enforcement power.
Slide 6: Challenges and Criticisms
● State Sovereignty vs. International Intervention:
○ Some countries reject external interference, even in cases of severe violations.
○ The UN relies on diplomatic pressure rather than force.
● Politicization of Human Rights Issues:
○ Some member states protect allies while condemning rivals.
○ Human rights violations are sometimes overlooked due to political
considerations.
● Limitations in Enforcement:
○ The UN lacks direct enforcement power, relying on sanctions and resolutions.
○ Powerful states often block interventions via veto power (e.g., in the UN Security
Council).
Slide 7: The UN and Emerging Human Rights Issues
● Climate Change & Human Rights:
○ Rising sea levels, extreme weather, and resource scarcity affect vulnerable
populations.
○ The UN advocates for climate justice through frameworks like the Paris
Agreement.
● Technology & Data Privacy:
○ Surveillance, cybercrime, and AI bias pose new human rights challenges.
○ The UN pushes for ethical AI development and data protection laws.
● Migration & Human Rights Protection:
○ Refugee crises due to war, persecution, and economic hardship.
○ The UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) works to protect displaced persons.
Slide 8: Conclusion
● Summary of UN's Impact:
○ Established international human rights norms.
○ Provided humanitarian aid and advocacy for victims.
○ Developed monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
● Ongoing Challenges:
○ Political roadblocks to intervention.
○ Non-compliance by some states.
○ Emerging issues requiring updated policies.
● Future of Human Rights in the UN System:
○ Need for stronger enforcement and accountability.
○ Greater collaboration with civil society and regional bodies.
○ Enhanced strategies for addressing technological and environmental challenges.
Slide 9: Recommendations
● Strengthen UN Human Rights Mechanisms:
○ Provide more resources for monitoring bodies.
○ Improve coordination among UN agencies.
● Enhance International Cooperation:
○ Encourage regional organizations (e.g., AU, EU) to take proactive roles.
○ Strengthen alliances with NGOs and human rights defenders.
● Improve Accountability & Enforcement:
○ Develop more binding legal mechanisms.
○ Increase transparency in human rights reporting.
○ Reform the UN Security Council to limit political interference.
